Summary Reverend Hale arrives at Parris’ house. Hale tells Rebecca Nurse that people in his town know her good deeds well. The Putnams describe Ruth’s condition to Hale and ask him to examine her, but first Hale prepares to look at Betty. Hale tells everyone in the room that he […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 5Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 4
Summary Betty begins screaming and covering her ears. Parishioners downstairs have been singing a hymn. Mrs. Putnam interprets Betty’s behavior as a sign of witchcraft because “she cannot bear to hear the Lord’s name!” Rebecca Nurse instructs everyone to be quiet and then stands by Betty until she calms down. […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 4Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 3
Summary John Proctor and Abigail are alone in the room with Betty. Proctor questions Abigail about Betty’s illness, suspecting that responsibility for “this mischief” probably lies with Abigail. Denying any involvement in witchcraft, Abigail states that she and the girls merely danced in the woods. Abigail asks Proctor if he […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 3Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 2
Summary Abigail and Mercy, the Putnams’ servant, try to wake Betty. Abigail tells Mercy what to say when she is questioned about what she was doing in the woods. She informs Mercy that Parris knows they were dancing in the woods. She also says he knows Tituba called to Ruth’s […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 2Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 1
Summary The Crucible begins in the house of Reverend Samuel Parris, whose daughter, Betty, lies unconscious in bed upstairs. Prior to the opening of the play, Parris discovered Betty, his niece Abigail, and Tituba, his black slave from Barbados, dancing in the forest outside of Salem at midnight. After Parris […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 1Character List
Reverend Parris Minister in Salem. He believes a faction plans to force him to leave Salem, so he attempts to strengthen his authority through the witch trial proceedings. Betty Parris Parris’ daughter. Her father discovers her dancing in the woods, and she later accuses individuals of practicing witchcraft. Abigail Williams […]
Read more Character ListAbout The Crucible
Inspired by the McCarthy hearings of the 1950s, Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, focuses on the inconsistencies of the Salem witch trials and the extreme behavior that can result from dark desires and hidden agendas. Miller bases the play on the historical account of the Salem witch trials. In particular […]
Read more About The CruciblePlay Summary
The Crucible takes place in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. The action begins in the home of Reverend Parris, whose daughter Betty lies unconscious and appears very ill. Around midnight the night before, Parris had discovered Betty, his niece Abigail, and Tituba, his black slave, dancing in the woods, causing Betty […]
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